This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
